SPORTS
‘Flashy’ KO win
CARL HIELD CONTINUES IMPRESSIVE PRO RUN IN COLOMBIA WITH DOMINANT KNOCKOUT VICTORY IN THIRD ROUND
By JONATHAN BURROWS
ahamian boxer
BCarl “Flashy” Hield continued his impressive professional run in Cienga, Colombia, with a dominant thirdround knockout victory over Saider Vizcaino.
Hield controlled the match from start to finish before delivering a barrage of punches in the third round to secure the knockout win.
“First off I want to thank God for giving me the strength and allowing me to be able to go in the ring,
execute my game plan, and get out the ring safely. It was a tough opponent but I just went in there and did what my coach was telling me to do in training camp and my volume of punches was a bit too much for him,” said Hield.
Hield also mentioned that he dedicated this fight and win to his late mother Norma Hield.
Hield’s victory comes as a result of a rigorous training camp schedule that saw him train twice daily.
On Saturdays, he and his coach Francisco Dinero incorporated therapy sessions to ensure recovery and conditioning.
“The training was good, it was hard, getting prepared, and watching videos of the guy learning what type of style we need to go in the ring and execute. The training was good and I (will) always be prepared and wait on the call so whenever the call comes to fight I (am) always prepared,” said Hield.
Hield also expressed gratitude to his supporters and sponsors like Rigger242, Beer Pressure, Rollingtyerimports LTD, Strikers Boxing Gym, and his management team R and R Sports Management. Following the win, Hield revealed that his next major step will be announcing an official date for a WBC International Boxing title fight to be hosted in The Bahamas
his return home this coming weekend. Currently, Hield
CHAVANO “Buddy” Hield and the Golden State Warriors beat Deandre Ayton and the Los Angeles Lakers 119-109 on Tuesday night in a league opener in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena.
Buddy Hield came off the bench for the Warriors and produced an efficient shooting line. He shot 6-11 from the field, including 5-10 from the three-point line, totalling 17 points in 22 minutes of play.
His production helped boost the Warriors’ rhythm, especially as the team opened the second half with an 18-4 run that increased the lead significantly.
Postgame, Hield spoke on the Warriors’ mindset and his role.
“We stayed locked in and did our job. It’s about stepping in when our number is called.”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also complimented Hield’s consistency and shooting.
“Buddy’s presence gives us dimension and his shots make the floor better,” said Kerr.
For the Lakers, Ayton made his debut in purple and gold with a line of 10 points (5-7 from the field) and six rebounds in 34 minutes.
However, Ayton admitted there were issues with the offence. “Today I
‘The Decline of Bodybuilding in The Bahamas’
By PAUL WILSON
THIS message is for all bodybuilding enthusiasts and fans across The Bahamas who have been wondering why the sport seems to have disappeared or lost its spark in recent years.
As a competitor and fan of the local sport I was appalled at the recent caption in our local media which stated - “Bodybuilding is back!”… what a big disgrace! From the lack of professionalism at the Nationals with no IFBB or BBWFF banners, the president not regaled in his official IFBB attire or even a pin, uncertified judges and even official protocol to start the show (national anthem, pledge, introduction of judges or prayer to say the least). How did we get here you might ask?
To provide some insight — bodybuilding hasn’t just faded by chance. It’s the result of several underlying narratives and decisions made over time.
Let’s start from the mid2000s, when the IFBB
Amateur League and the NPC/IFBB Professional League parted ways. The reason? Two simple but powerful forces — MONEY AND POWER. Leadership conflicts and disrespect between the heads of these organisations caused a deep divide. Following that split, our local federation, the BBWFF, aligned itself under the IFBB Amateur umbrella.
Many Bahamian athletes continued to work hard and pursue their goals, proudly representing the 242.
BAHAMIAN boxer Carl “Flashy” Hield celebrates his victory over Saider Vizcaino in Colombia.
‘The Decline of Bodybuilding in The Bahamas’
The IFBB Amateur League later established its own “professional” division — the IFBB Elite Pro League — to give athletes a platform and recognition similar to the NPC/IFBB Pro League.
Under the previous administration, several Bahamian athletes earned their professional status, gaining opportunities to compete internationally and raise the Bahamian flag high. It was, arguably, the golden era of local bodybuilding.
Unfortunately, the federation experienced internal turmoil, mistrust, and a breach of integrity that led to a call for re-election. One member was suspended for four years — a necessary action to restore harmony, pride, and professionalism within the organisation.
During this time, athletes still showed great passion, and local shows drew large audiences filled with excitement and national pride.
However, in recent years, bodybuilding in The Bahamas has taken a downward spiral. In my observation, this decline stems from mistrust and poor leadership at the administrative level, discouraging many dedicated athletes from continuing their pursuit of excellence.
Additionally, some of our top local athletes have transitioned to the NPC, a
more competitive and globally recognised league that feeds into the IFBB Professional League — the most prestigious bodybuilding organisation in the world. Many athletes have also represented The Bahamas in both leagues, proudly waving the 242 flag across multiple platforms.
Unfortunately, the IFBB Elite/Pro League has been known to pressure local federations worldwide to restrict athletes’ freedom of choice, urging executives to enforce loyalty to the Amateur League. The NPC, on the other hand, allows flexibility — athletes can compete across leagues without penalty. Yet, under the IFBB system, anyone doing so faces suspension. This has made the sport increasingly money-driven and politically motivated, rather than athlete-focused.
Adding to the issue, several top Bahamian professional athletes were reportedly removed from the government subvention programme because of their league affiliation. They were told by both the federation president and the Director of Sports that funding would only be available if they returned to the IFBB Elite League — a league many consider a step below the true professional ranks.
While the Elite League often touts compliance with WADA’s anti-doping protocols, evidence suggests
inconsistencies similar to those in other federations.
Recently, as of last year we also experienced our top pros missing the stage because no delegate accompanied them in Spain.
However, the local president was present at the NPC’s Pro Level highest ranking show, The Mr Olympia! Taking pictures with various athletes and coaches from the very league he says is not approved for our athletes. This double standard makes their position appear hypocritical and biased toward select athletes who worked hard in most cases both leagues to garner
rankings in the top 5 in our region and even selected by regional organisation to represent at various World Championships, World Games and PanAmerican Games. Nardo Dean, Jay Darling, Raymond Tucker, Lorraine LaFluer, Stephen Robinson, Paul Wilson under leadership of Dannie Sumner and Joel Stubbs respectively made waves year in and year out in both leagues. They even trained or coached other athletes to encourage the sport to grow.
As a result, a lack of understanding and transparency has deeply discouraged many top
“TO PROVIDE SOME INSIGHT — BODYBUILDING HASN’T JUST FADED BY CHANCE. IT’S THE RESULT OF SEVERAL UNDERLYING NARRATIVES AND DECISIONS MADE OVER TIME. LET’S START FROM THE MID-2000S, WHEN THE IFBB AMATEUR LEAGUE AND THE NPC/IFBB PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE PARTED WAYS. THE REASON? TWO SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL FORCES — MONEY AND POWER. LEADERSHIP CONFLICTS AND DISRESPECT BETWEEN THE HEADS OF THESE ORGANISATIONS CAUSED A DEEP DIVIDE.”
competitors — athletes and even coaches who could once again place or produce Bahamian bodybuilding on the global map.
Even at the recent CAC Championships, the numbers told the story — only four or five competitors per category within the entire region of the Central American and Caribbean. This decline reflects not just local issues within our country but a wider regional disengagement from IFBB Amateur events.
If we continue allowing international bodies to dictate our direction and favor a chosen few, bodybuilding in The Bahamas will keep spiraling downward. This is a small, passionate community, and it’s time we restore unity, fairness, and genuine support for all athletes — regardless of league affiliation.
It is also important for our professional athletes and our ministry to know that our current president should not have any influence on who is put on or
— PAUL WILSON
taken off subvention. It is stated by IFBB regulations that all professional athletes are independent individuals who should have the opportunity to negotiate to their government the support need as being country ambassadors.
Every single one who has been elected to receive the subvention and competed in the last five years within standing of competing at least twice a year and high placings have earned their place to compensated for their talents putting the Bahamas on the map in the sport of Bodybuilding. It is suggested that our local federation through its executive committee which we voted in to do so and its active members (athletes, coaches and supporters) not friends or gym clients that only knew the current president which they seems biased if you ask me to look into the best interest of its athletes rather than the hypocritical agender placed on the region by the global organisation.
PAUL “MIGHTY MOUSE” WILSON
BLTA congratulates tennis players Simone Pratt and Sydney Clarke
By JONATHAN BURROWS
Sports Reporter
THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) has extended congratulations to Bahamian tennis players Simone Pratt and Sydney Clarke for their recent success on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) W15 tour in Santa Tecla, El Salvador.
Both players, who were key contributors to The Bahamas’ victory at the Billie Jean King Cup, returned to El Salvador to compete on the professional circuit. Simone Pratt recorded three solid wins during the October W15 tour, two in the qualifying rounds and one in the main draw. She defeated Isabelle Gollazas of Colombia (6-4, 6-2), Priyanka Rodricks of
India (6-3, 6-1), and Kaya Baker of the United States (6-2, 6-2).
The BLTA noted that Pratt is “proving she is still among the nation’s top female athletes” who is now ranked 1,585th. Clarke also found success with two consecutive qualifying round victories across consecutive tournaments in El Salvador, defeating American Adaugo Ukaegbu twice.
Clarke now holds a career night rank of 1,634th.
The BLTA commended both athletes for their dedication and progress, stating that “as The Bahamas’ highest-ranked females currently on the ITF pro circuit, Simone and Sydney are committed to working hard and continuing their tennis journey in hopes of improving and getting stronger.”
and paints the picture that his integration into the Lakers’ pick-and-roll spacing scheme will require time though the self-assessment he offered suggests a player aware of his role but still adjusting.
SIMONE PRATT, top, and Sydney Clarke in action.
Swope)
GOLDEN State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles in front of Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)